Cancer Care

Cancer, it’s a diagnosis that no one wants to hear. It can leave you feeling frightened, uncertain, and powerless. But if you or a loved one is facing cancer, it’s important to have hope. In many cases, cancer can be cured, especially when it’s detected early. There are more treatments available now than ever before to cure cancer or slow it from spreading, relieve its symptoms, and help you live a healthier life.

It’s also important to know that you have options in addition to standard medical therapies. Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (OM) have been used for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of conditions. It can safely be used to naturally support your body and mind as you undergo conventional cancer treatments.

Understanding treatments and their side effects

Cancer is an overall term for a group of diseases that occur when cells begin to reproduce abnormally, eventually damaging or killing healthy tissue. Most cancers are named according to where they begin in the body, and there are more than 100 different types. The most common are breast cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer.

Your treatment plan will be based on many factors, including the type and stage (how far it has spread) of the cancer and your overall health. While cancer treatments have proven to be effective, they do have serious side effects to take into account. The most common treatments include:

Surgery: Performed to remove the cancer if possible. Surgery may be used alone or along with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or biological therapy.

Chemotherapy: The use of medications to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy generally lasts from 3 to 9 months, and can have side effects including fatigue, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, early menopause, and hot flashes.

Radiation therapy: The use of high doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells. Side effects generally include fatigue, hair loss, and skin darkening at the site of the treatment.

Biological therapy: This treatment works by boosting the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. Side effects depend on the specific type of therapy, but they can include rashes or swelling, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite.

Cancer treatment according to Oriental Medicine is based on Fu Zheng Gu Ben principles

Fu Zhen means strengthening what is correct. It is an immune enhancing herbal regimen using specific herbs. The objective is to support and stimulate deep energy systems within the body to make it stronger and more resistant to degeneration.

Gu Ben refers to strengthening and supporting the body to regenerate and repair.

Treatments may include:

Removing toxins that may contribute to cancer

Increasing the flow of blood and Qi

Removing accumulations of tissue that are believed to be the tumor

Restoring self-regulation and balance among the Jing, Qi and Shen

How acupuncture and OM can help

Acupuncture and OM have been used for thousands of years to maintain health and relieve symptoms. Practitioners work to treat imbalances in the body’s Qi, or vital energy, by inserting fine, sterile needles at specific acupoints.

Since acupuncture has few side effects, it can be safely used as a complement to conventional cancer treatments. In fact, in many cancer cases it’s recommended as a way to soothe and reduce side effects. According to the National Institutes of Health1, acupuncture has been found to be effective in relieving:

Nausea

Vomiting

Fatigue

Post-surgical pain

Acupuncture and OM can also help relieve stress, depression, and anxiety, which can greatly improve your quality of life during this challenging time.

In addition to acupuncture, your practitioner may also provide massage, acupressure, nutritional counseling, or an exercise program designed to help you stay as healthy as possible. He or she may also recommend herbal medicines or vitamin supplements.

Remember to always communicate with your health care providers about these and any other medications you take in order to avoid any drug interactions.

Treating the person, not just the disease Acupuncture practitioners take a holistic, or whole-body, approach to cancer care. This means that not only will your symptoms be considered, but also your lifestyle, emotional state, and overall health. Your whole being will be taken into account, not just the cancer. When you work with your practitioner to improve your health and relieve your side effects, you are not only helping yourself get the most from conventional treatments, you’re taking back the control of your own life.

The American College of Chest Physicians recommends that acupuncture be used for patients who experience fatigue, dyspnea, chemo-therapy induced neuropathy or to soothe symptoms of pain or nausea and vomiting. Especially in patients who have cancer of the lungs.

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Testimonials

Love Cynthia….i have only had 2 sessions thus far & the second session was great…it helped me so much cause she actually listened to my concerns & our plan of care this week helped so much…the week before (my first session) was not as dramatic as i anticipated but think

These treatments have really effected my life in a positive way. Also very enjoyable and relaxing! Thank you! Jennifer C. 7/15/2016

Extremely Effective! was last modified: January 22nd, 2017 by cynthia

I had a wonderful experience and successful outcome at To The Point Healthcare. Cynthia is kind, knowledgeable and proficient. I would not hesitate to recommend her to friends and family. Geri L 11/17/2016

Wonderful Experience was last modified: January 22nd, 2017 by cynthia

The first time I came I had back and heart issues, also poor circulation. So much so I looked like a ghost. Cynthia has brought my color back thru better blood circulation and I feel so much better. Thanks so much Cynthia. James Jones 8/26/2016

After several visits I know I am in the very competent hands of a caring health provider. Cynthia’s approach treats the whole person, which makes so much sense. My sinus and other problems are clearly improved and I am now aware of various ways I can work on improving my

Cynthia is a great listener, which, I believe, to be THE critical issue missing in quality health care. Her ability to listen makes her ability to provide the optimal treatment for your particular issue. Highly recommend! Leah R. 6/2016

I signed up for the acupuncture treatment and I was super satisfied with the results. I was expecting it to be something that would hurt because of the use of needles however, this is not the case I actually enjoy getting treatments. Cynthia is amazing at what she does and

Was a very pleasant experience. Felt a difference after treatments. Would recommend to anybody who has these type of problems. Reggie D 8/19/2015

Shoulder pain – restricted my golf game was last modified: October 28th, 2015 by cynthia

After only one visit, the pain and soreness I’ve been dealing with for over 5 months is remarkably better! Cynthia took as much time as I needed and answered all my questions and concerns. 3/9/2015

After only one visit was last modified: October 28th, 2015 by cynthia

Cynthia’s calming nature put me at ease from the time she began the initial examination through the entire treatment. Explanations were clear and questions were answered expertly. I enjoyed the treatment room as it offered soft music and décor that was relaxing. The sensation of needle insertion was minimal and